Who were the big three? Was it Gordon Dykes, John McPartlin and Martin Moran or was it Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn and the Eiger?

Gordon and John revealed the answer with stunning slides presented in their own inimitable style.

In July 2002, Gordon and John had joined a party led by Martin Moran with the objective of climbing the big three. Only two weeks were available so they were hoping for good weather. Unfortunately their hopes were not fully realised but Martin Moran found alternative ways of keeping the group entertained without needing to go down to the pub every night. This alternative entertainment included a trip to the nearest climbing wall and testing the party on exposed cliff-faces.

All was not lost, however. The weather was good enough for the group to climb the Lagginhorn and view past conquests in Switzerland such as Weissmies and Alphubel which had been climbed on the previous club trip to Switzerland.

Finally, time was running out, but there was an opportunity to climb the Eiger and the opportunity was seized. The group went to the Monch Hut and then up the south ridge to the Eiger summit. According to the guide book, it is a serious climb, graded AD, offering technical rock pitches interspersed with easier climbing and occasionally steep snow. The slides put these words into pictures in a graphic way.

Dave Reynolds gave the votes of thanks to Gordon and John for entertaining us with words and pictures.

Alan Stevens

6 November 2002